Tag Archives: 2 Corinthians 5:17

For the past few weeks, I have had a song in my head—one of the first “Christian” songs I used to jam out to as a child. The song that kept replaying was “Old Man’s Rubble,” sang by Amy Grant. It is a song older than me, a song that appeared on Amy’s first album. The chorus asks if you are living in an “old man’s rubble.” After a few weeks, I wondered why it was still stuck in my head.

When I was young, I used to sing the song with great passion, focusing on the lyrics about “listening to the father of lies.” I knew back then that he was and is the father of lies; however, today I can grasp things more clearly. Today I can easily understand that the song isn’t about the father of lies or the old man’s rubble, but rather, about the new creation that results from knowing the Father of light, about rejoicing in Him who is making all things new.

As we begin a new year, we need not focus on the old man’s rubble. Rubble is something that is left behind. It is defined as waste or wreckage. It is what is left behind after a collapse. Rubble remains. It is the ruins. It’s debris. We walk through the rubble to something better, something greater than that which we leave behind. The song says we will be “living in a mighty fortress” and we will be “clothed in power and might.” Embrace these lyrics. Trust that the old man you once were is rubble, and do not try to carry it with you into what God has for you next. Ready yourself.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 [ESV]

Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. (Matthew 6:12)

Guard your heart – Proverbs 4:23

Pray for them – But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:27-28)

Look Back – Remember Past Mistakes

Romans 3:23 – All fall short of the glory of God

Everyone makes mistakes:

Abraham fled to Egypt because of drought (Genesis 12-13)

Moses killed Egyptian (Exodus 2) & struck rock in anger (Numbers 20)

Peter denied Jesus THREE times (Mark 14:66-72)

Today’s Passage: Conception and Birth of Jesus – Matthew 1:18-25

“Verse 21 – “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Nathan Rebukes David – 2 Samuel 12:1-14

David – man after God’s heart (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22).

David commits adultery & plans murder to cover up sin (2 Samuel 11).

David’s repents – TRUE REPENTANCE – David’s prayer – Psalm 51

Knowing if it is a sin

Sin is going against God and His Word. Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. (1 John 3:4). Know God’s Word. Know His Commands. READ BIBLE & PRAY – REQUIRES AN ACTIVE, INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP

Believers have His Spirit (the Spirit of God) to teach (Ephesians 1:17) and convict (John 16:8)

You must admit sins

To be healed (James 5:16)

To get another chance (Proverbs 28:13)

To be changed (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5)

To share with others

Your sins are forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ

Declare with your mouth and believe in your heart (Romans 10:9)

While you were dead in sin He forgave ALL our sins (Colossians 2:13)

The debt was cancelled – Jesus nailed it to the Cross – paid in full (Colossians 2:14)

He blots out our transgressions (Isaiah 43:25)

He will not even remember our sins – acts as if they never happened – forgives as far as the east to the west (Psalm 103:12)

Confession isn’t necessary for forgiveness – Jesus finished that once for all – but it is important

I heard of people who went from one job to a second job without having a moment to stop and shower. To be sure they did not start to smell a bit foul, they would douse themselves with cologne or perfume to cover up the fact that they did not have a chance to take a shower. The cover up may keep people from noticing that the person failed to shower; however, it does not take away from the fact that the person did not shower. The person is still dirty.

When we accept Christ we are washed by His blood—we are covered by His blood. But it’s not supposed to be a quick spray of cologne or perfume. It is supposed to be a true cleansing. It involves not only baptism but a constant relationship with Christ, becoming a new creation living out the purpose for which you were created.

Today, don’t spray on some cologne and pretend to be clean. Don’t try to take a short cut. There’s no short cut when it comes to God. You either are living in Christ or you are not. You decide.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 [NLT]

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 [NIV]

Life is very unpredictable. One minute everything can be a certain way, and then the next minute life has changed. Things are then different and at times we are not too happy with the way everything has occurred.

The other day I took my dog for a walk. It was so beautiful outside by the lake. The sun was shining. The leaves on the trees were bright and colorful. I took so many photos of God’s beautiful creation. Everything seemed almost perfect.

The next day things dramatically changed. The temperature decreased and the snow came. Snow in October– quite a shock! We were not accustomed to this type of weather this early on. Even worse, the leaves were still on the trees. When the snow collected on the leaves, the weight was too much for the tree to handle. The beautiful trees snapped with the pressure. No longer was it so beautiful outside by the lake. Fallen trees and broken branches were everywhere.

Life is short and we cannot be certain what will happen next. There are people who leave their house in the morning and do not return. There are people who eat lunch and do not realize it will be their last. There are some people who spend decades planning their retirement but never will reach retirement age. Then there are others who put so much stock in their money and in the blink of an eye it is all lost.

Today I returned to the lake. The broken tree branches were removed. The wreckage was cleaned up. I know that the lake will be fine and that the trees will be as good as new. God makes all things new. The question is– do you want to be new or do you want to remain a broken branch dangling from the tree? Like those trees still with their leaves, we cannot support all the weight of the snow in our lives. But no worries, for God can do anything. Give Him the chance.

“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.” -Revelation 21:4-7 [NIV]